No all-out pressure at 2026 Commonwealth Games: Mirabai Chanu favors Asian Games

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has said she will not attempt the coveted 90kg at the 2026 Commonwealth Games this year in a bid to save herself for the Asian Games later this year. Chanu is aiming to secure her first podium finish at the Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Chanu is chasing her third medal in a row at the Commonwealth Games and she was one of the Indian flag bearers during the opening ceremony on Thursday. The Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo said her training has been aligned so that the Asian Games will be her priority.

“I will not give my full effort in the Commonwealth Games. I am focusing on the Asian Games which is very close. I am training accordingly. So my performance and effort here will depend on that plan,” Chanu told PTI on Thursday.

The former world champion said she will go all out in Japan, where she faces tough competition.

“You can’t predict how the body will perform on a given day, but I will definitely try to get 90kg in the Asian Games,” Chanu said.

The defending CWG champion is the overwhelming favorite in the 48kg category and would need to complete her legal snatch and jerk lifts to secure the gold medal.

With the Asian Games only a few months away, Chanu is not taking any chances in Glasgow.

‘JOY UP TO 53 KG’

Chanu revealed that she would like to move up to the 53kg category after the Asian Games after changes were made to the Olympic weight classes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Chanu will compete in the 49kg category at the Asian Games and admitted that years of weight loss have taken their toll on her body.

“Weight management is very difficult. Ever since I’ve been racing, I’ve been maintaining either 48kg or 49kg. It’s very difficult. You have to monitor a lot of things. Half a player’s life goes into it.”

“I am really happy to go to 53kg. I will feel very relaxed that I will not have to control my weight. But yes, when the weight goes up, there will be more competition and I will have to improve my performance,” said Chanu.

Chanu’s medal event will take place on July 26.

– The end

Published on:

Jul 24, 2026 11:33 am IST